Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<ul>
<li>On 20 January, SM Entertainment announced that Lee Chang-Hwan, the CEO of Align Partners Capital will join the company as a board member. </li>
<li>This will mark one of the first cases of an activist investor becoming a board member of a Korean company which already has a major shareholder.</li>
<li>We believe that Lee Chang-Hwan (CEO of APCM) joining SM Entertainment as a board member will have a positive impact on the company to meaningfully improve its corporate governance.</li>
</ul>


On 20 January, SM Entertainment announced that Lee Chang-Hwan, the CEO of Align Partners Capital will join the company as a board member. 
This will mark one of the first cases of an activist investor becoming a board member of a Korean company which already has a major shareholder.
We believe that Lee Chang-Hwan (CEO of APCM) joining SM Entertainment as a board member will have a positive impact on the company to meaningfully improve its corporate governance.


Align Partners' Lee Chang-Hwan Joins SM Entertainment as a Board Member

<ul>
<li>This past week, I had a discussion with Changhwan Lee, the founder and CEO of Align Partners which is currently an activist investor on S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS).</li>
<li>This insight provides the details of why Align Partners is going activist on SM Entertainment. </li>
<li>Through more successful proxy fights such as SM Entertainment, there could be greater value that could be unlocked from many listed companies in Korea with poor corporate governance. </li>
</ul>


This past week, I had a discussion with Changhwan Lee, the founder and CEO of Align Partners which is currently an activist investor on S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS).
This insight provides the details of why Align Partners is going activist on SM Entertainment. 
Through more successful proxy fights such as SM Entertainment, there could be greater value that could be unlocked from many listed companies in Korea with poor corporate governance. 


A Discussion with Align Partners' CEO on SM Entertainment

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Starting Monday, 18 April, South Korea will lift almost all social distancing measures after nearly two years.</li>
<li>Under the new measures, the previous restrictions including midnight business hour curfew for restaurants, cafes, and other businesses will be completely lifted. </li>
<li>The pandemic to endemic reopening plays in Korea (19 stocks) are up on average 7% YTD, significantly outperforming KOSPI which is down 9.5% in the same period.</li>
</ul>


Starting Monday, 18 April, South Korea will lift almost all social distancing measures after nearly two years.
Under the new measures, the previous restrictions including midnight business hour curfew for restaurants, cafes, and other businesses will be completely lifted. 
The pandemic to endemic reopening plays in Korea (19 stocks) are up on average 7% YTD, significantly outperforming KOSPI which is down 9.5% in the same period.


End of Nearly All Social Distancing Measures in Korea & How My Views of Mask Wearing Has Changed

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In this insight, we provide 8 examples of how metaverse is revolutionizing numerous businesses in Korea. We also provide a list of Korean companies that are actively trying to expand their metaverse businesses. Because metaverse is in the initial stages of growth for many of these businesses, their contributions to their companies' sales and profits may not be meaningful right now. However, they are experiencing a significant popularity. Metaverse is certainly one of the key industry trends that is likely to have a multi-years impact on the companies mentioned in this insight.
The term "metaverse" was first coined by the writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel <a href="https://digiday.com/marketing/wtf-is-the-metaverse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Snow Crash </a>where metaverse refers to a popular virtual world where the main characters are equipped with augmented technologies. 
Metaverse refers to a computerized domain where the users can share their virtual encounters. Still in the beginning phases of advancement, metaverse has become more important in key industries industries including technology, media, and telecom. In addition, metaverse is also impacting other major industries such as retail, gaming, and fashion. 
Metaverse will empower its users to be more engaged in online shopping, web-based media, entertainment, and share virtual encounters. Metaverse is often considered as a "coming together" of numerous technologies including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), 5G, smartphones, and distributed computing. Up until recently, the gaming industry has been driving the demand for metaverse. However, greater improvements in technologies have allowed metaverse to flourish in other industries as well. 
South Korea is one of the key countries driving the metaverse industry globally. This is one of the leaders in this area and there will be numerous, interesting opportunities involving metaverse in Korea. 
</div>


In this insight, we provide 8 examples of how metaverse is revolutionizing numerous businesses in Korea. We also provide a list of Korean companies that are actively trying to expand their metaverse businesses. Because metaverse is in the initial stages of growth for many of these businesses, their contributions to their companies' sales and profits may not be meaningful right now. However, they are experiencing a significant popularity. Metaverse is certainly one of the key industry trends that is likely to have a multi-years impact on the companies mentioned in this insight.
The term "metaverse" was first coined by the writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash where metaverse refers to a popular virtual world where the main characters are equipped with augmented technologies. 
Metaverse refers to a computerized domain where the users can share their virtual encounters. Still in the beginning phases of advancement, metaverse has become more important in key industries industries including technology, media, and telecom. In addition, metaverse is also impacting other major industries such as retail, gaming, and fashion. 
Metaverse will empower its users to be more engaged in online shopping, web-based media, entertainment, and share virtual encounters. Metaverse is often considered as a "coming together" of numerous technologies including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), 5G, smartphones, and distributed computing. Up until recently, the gaming industry has been driving the demand for metaverse. However, greater improvements in technologies have allowed metaverse to flourish in other industries as well. 
South Korea is one of the key countries driving the metaverse industry globally. This is one of the leaders in this area and there will be numerous, interesting opportunities involving metaverse in Korea. 


How Is Metaverse Revolutionizing Businesses in Korea? Virtual Humans Rozy & Lucy Are Just a Start

Cross Asset Strategy

<blockquote><a href="https://twitter.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/1432647669864878083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1432647669864878083%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcgamer.com%2Fsouth-korea-passes-law-with-major-implications-for-apple-vs-epic%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Korea</a> is first in open platforms! Korea has rejected digital commerce monopolies and recognized open platforms as a right. This marks a major milestone in the 45-year history of personal computing. It began in Cupertino, but the forefront today is in Seoul. (Tim Sweeney - Founder of Epic Games)</blockquote>In a landmark case (an amendment of the Telecommunications Business Act), the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-apple-hit-in-south-korea-by-worlds-first-law-ending-their-dominance-over-app-store-payments-11630403335" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Korean government</a> announced on 31 August that Google and Apple will need to open their app stores to alternative payment systems in South Korea. This change in regulation is likely to negatively impact Google and Apple's lucrative commissions on digital sales.A new bill was passed by the Korean National Assembly on 31 August which will significantly reduce Google and Apple's dominance of digital sales on their app platforms. The final step is for President Moon to sign this bill but it is almost a near certainty that he will sign this bill. The following are the major companies/sectors that could benefit from the change in law:<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a></li>
<li>Korean Telcos</li>
<li>Korean Game Companies</li>
<li>Korean Entertainment/Music/Movies/Drama Companies </li>
</ul>

Korea is first in open platforms! Korea has rejected digital commerce monopolies and recognized open platforms as a right. This marks a major milestone in the 45-year history of personal computing. It began in Cupertino, but the forefront today is in Seoul. (Tim Sweeney - Founder of Epic Games)In a landmark case (an amendment of the Telecommunications Business Act), the Korean government announced on 31 August that Google and Apple will need to open their app stores to alternative payment systems in South Korea. This change in regulation is likely to negatively impact Google and Apple's lucrative commissions on digital sales.A new bill was passed by the Korean National Assembly on 31 August which will significantly reduce Google and Apple's dominance of digital sales on their app platforms. The final step is for President Moon to sign this bill but it is almost a near certainty that he will sign this bill. The following are the major companies/sectors that could benefit from the change in law:
Naver Corp (035420 KS)
Kakao Corp (035720 KS)
Korean Telcos
Korean Game Companies
Korean Entertainment/Music/Movies/Drama Companies 


Korean Government Forces Google & Apple To Open Their App Stores to Alternative Payments

South Korea

JYP Entertainment Corp plans, produces, promotes, and markets Korean singers both in Korean and overseas market. The Company's also engages in licensing, merchandizing, and artist management business including the commercial flim contracts of the artists.

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Jyp Entertainment (035900 KS)

Align Partners' Lee Chang-Hwan Joins SM Entertainment as a Board Member

We believe that Lee Chang-Hwan (CEO of APCM) joining SM Entertainment as a board member will have a positive impact on the company to meaningfully...

Douglas Kim

A Discussion with Align Partners' CEO on SM Entertainment

This past week, I had a discussion with Changhwan Lee, the founder and CEO of Align Partners which is currently an activist investor on...

Douglas Kim

How Is Metaverse Revolutionizing Businesses in Korea? Virtual Humans Rozy & Lucy Are Just a Start

In this insight, we provide 8 examples of how metaverse is revolutionizing businesses in Korea. We also provide a list of Korean companies that are...

Douglas Kim

Korean Government Forces Google & Apple To Open Their App Stores to Alternative Payments

In a landmark case, the Korean government announced on 31 August that Google and Apple will need to open their app stores to alternative payment...

Douglas Kim

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Align Partners' Lee Chang-Hwan Joins SM Entertainment as a Board Member

We believe that Lee Chang-Hwan (CEO of APCM) joining SM Entertainment as a board member will have a positive impact on the company to meaningfully...

Douglas Kim

A Discussion with Align Partners' CEO on SM Entertainment

This past week, I had a discussion with Changhwan Lee, the founder and CEO of Align Partners which is currently an activist investor on...

Douglas Kim

End of Nearly All Social Distancing Measures in Korea & How My Views of Mask Wearing Has Changed

Starting Monday, 18 April, South Korea will lift almost all social distancing measures after nearly two years. The pandemic to endemic reopening...

Douglas Kim

How Is Metaverse Revolutionizing Businesses in Korea? Virtual Humans Rozy & Lucy Are Just a Start

In this insight, we provide 8 examples of how metaverse is revolutionizing businesses in Korea. We also provide a list of Korean companies that are...

Douglas Kim

Korean Government Forces Google & Apple To Open Their App Stores to Alternative Payments

In a landmark case, the Korean government announced on 31 August that Google and Apple will need to open their app stores to alternative payment...

Douglas Kim